Policy Committee

The Policy Committee shall:

propose topics and, with the approval or at the direction of the Board of Governors, commission papers leading to formal statements of the Society on science-related policy issues with subsequent publication in Conservation Biology,

review commissioned papers,

at its discretion, assign external review of commissioned papers,

evaluate issues, recommend positions, and propose Society actions on issues related to conservation biology and policy where the scientific or management expertise of the Society may be of value, and

develop informational materials that are consonant with the aims of the Society. Such positions, commissioned papers, and informational materials must receive approval of the Policy Committee before release or publication.

Introduction

SCB recognizes that “policy decisions of major international conventions, governments, organizations, and foundations should be effectively informed by the highest quality scientific counsel, analysis and recommendations so as to advance the conservation of biological diversity” (Strategic Plan 2005). SCB thus recognizes the need to intervene on critical policy issues while not compromising SCB’s identity and reputation as a scientific society. SCB is not just another conservation interest or lobbying group – it is a professional society with world class expertise and authority. The greatest strengths of SCB in this regard are (a) the knowledge and authority of our members, (b) the scientific and analytical skills that our members can bring to bear on policy issues, and (c) the ability to gather, organize and synthesize the science underpinning conservation issues, and (d) its international reach through Sections, Chapters, and Working Groups.

Terms of Reference

Updated: August 21, 2010

The Policy Committee shall

identify, with input from Sections, Chapters, SCB members and the Policy Officer, policy issues to which SCB might contribute;

evaluate issues, recommend positions, and propose Society actions on issues related to conservation biology and policy where the scientific or management expertise of the Society and its membership may be of value;

prepare and, with the approval or at the direction of the Board of Governors, oversee the implementation plan of the policy activities of SCB;

commission papers and analyses leading to formal statements of the Society on science-related policy issues, and develop informational materials that are consistent with the aims of the Society; (note: such positions, commissioned papers, and informational materials must receive approval of the Board of Governors before release or publication)

oversee and manage the process of assessing, reporting and communicating on the policy issues in which SCB will be engaged;

authorize spokespersons and organize appropriate members/staff to speak as experts on policy issues within its designated sphere of responsibility at the global level, depending on issue and type of advocacy;

receive annual policy plan proposals from Sections, and evaluate for approval within 4 weeks, any plan so submitted;

Provide technical advice on policy issues to Sections, on request from them

seek to form collaborative relationships with other relevant international institutions working in fields related to conservation science, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the proposed Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, and the Ecological Society of America, among others; and